Pheasants Forever (PF) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) will cooperate to permanently restore and protect approximately 1397.31 acres as Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs) in western and southern Minnesota. All lands acquired through this grant proposal will be owned and managed by the Service as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

With these funds we were able to restore, protect, and enhance 24,611 acres of native and restored grassland in Minnesota. Much of this work was done through the DNR Roving Crews, a new program funded with these dollars that has significantly increased the state's habitat management capabilities. In addition to these enhancement activities we were able to enroll acres in the DNR's Native Prairie Bank Easement Program as well as acquire acres for the SNA program.

This program will increase populations of a variety of game and non-game wildlife species by protecting and enhancing forest habitats on which wildlife depends. This program of on-the-ground forest conservation projects will amplify the wildlife value of forest communities on DNR administered forestlands. Our forest enhancement will treat 4,472 ac. These activities are not conducted as part of the DNR's commercial timber operations. Additionally, our program will acquire 404 acres of forestland that contributes to habitat complexes and other high priorities.

The AgBMP Loan Program provides needed funding for local implementation of clean water practices at an extremely low cost, is unique in its structure and is not duplicated by any other source of funding.The AgBMP loan program provides 3% loans through local lenders to farmers, rural landowners, and agriculture supply businesses.

Minnesota’s Legacy Amendment raises revenue for Clean Water, Outdoor Heritage, Parks and Trails, and Arts and Cultural Heritage. Libraries are beneficiaries of a portion of the Arts and Cultural Heritage Funding.

The Duluth Art Institute will host internationally recognized artist Wing Young Huie to present two community workshops in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Duluth to engage audiences with issues of identity and diversity through the use of portrait photography.

The Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra will substantially expand its service to hospice patients by creating a new partnership with St. Mary's Medical Center, building our current relationship with St. Luke's Hospice Duluth and increasing the number of trained hospice musicians.

Peace O' Ground, a year-long integrated arts initiative, will provide children, families, and neighbors of Duluth's Hillside multiple opportunities to experience and participate in deepening understanding of their neighborhood through the literary, visual, and performing arts.

Woodland Hills arts learners will use a guided creative process to explore causes, impacts, and solutions surrounding teen violence, while acquiring skills necessary to create and perform a theatrical production and foster dialogue about this issue.